The story: Outspoken hardline MP Alireza Zakani has been elected as Tehran's mayor amid major controversy. This follows severe conservative infighting over the spoils of the camp’s victory in the June 18 local elections, which saw many pro-reform candidates barred from running. Zakani's mayorship is another bitter wakeup call for the Reformists, who now face ascendant conservatives in control of all branches of power.

The coverage: After days of deliberations, the Tehran City Council—now fully controlled by conservatives after having been in Reformist hands—officially announced...